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Cosmetics Regulation Reform in the United States

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Representative Jim Moran (VA) introduced a landmark bill to ban the testing of cosmetics on animals. PCRM supports this bill and is continuing to monitor all U.S. cosmetics legislative efforts and meet with allies and congressional staff.

In March 2014, Representative Jim Moran (VA) introduced a landmark bill, the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 4148), to ban the testing of cosmetics on animals. This historic legislation would not only end animal testing for cosmetics within the United States but also prohibit the sale of products that have been tested elsewhere—forcing other countries we do business with to stop testing as well.

Specifically, the bill would:

within one year of enactment, prohibit the testing of cosmetic ingredients and final products on animals in the US

prohibit the export and import of animal tested cosmetics within three years of enactment

This important bill would also put the United States on the same footing as its economic competitors. As it is, the United States is behind the times. The European Union has banned both cosmetic testing and the sale of cosmetics tested on animals—requiring even American companies to stop testing on animals if they want to sell to European customers. India, Israel, and parts of Brazil have followed in the EU's footsteps. Australia has also introduced a similar ban.